Children's home run by Action for Children

Information about this children’s home

This home provides short breaks for children aged between eight and 18 who may have a learning disability and/or complex health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to five children at any given time. The home is owned and operated by a national organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was appointed in September 2020 and is currently in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Declined in effectiveness

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: 1266835 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Children are well cared for and love visiting for short breaks at this home. Staff know the children well and are guided by clear, individualised and detailed plans. Parents and other professionals are involved in the formulation of these plans, meaning that there is a cohesive approach to each child’s care.

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The care of children

Consultation with children is good. Staff meet with children at the beginning and end of each visit to agree what the child wishes to do for their visit and what can be done to make the next visit even better. Children have chosen to call this creative consultation approach ‘very important people meetings’.

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The care of children

When children leave the home, staff ensure that they have a proper send off. For the most recent child who left, this included receiving a lovely photo album and a good-luck video message from the child’s favourite band.

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The care of children

Overall, the environment is of a good quality, complemented by the many photos of the children and copies of their artwork on the wall. However, in some bedrooms, televisions are boxed in, which does detract from the homely environment the staff have created. Major building work is planned for the spring, which will provide children with a wet room, a new kitchen and widened doors for wheelchair access.

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The care of children

Children take part in a wide range of activities that are fun and purposeful. Children are learning to cook and love this activity. One child made a birthday cake for his brother during their stay. The home has extensive outdoor space as well as a playroom which has a significant amount of sensory equipment. These areas provide children with ample space for activities, arts and crafts.

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The care of children

Feedback from parents and a social worker is very positive. Parents said the home is ‘amazing’ and the staff are ‘great’. A social worker said how important the home has been to a family, especially during the lockdown period.

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The safety of children

Children are kept safe at the home. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding practices and procedures, appropriately considering the needs and additional vulnerabilities of the children they care for. Records of safeguarding events are clear and comprehensive.

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The safety of children

Risk is well managed. Children’s risk assessments are of a good quality. They provide staff with clear guidance on children’s individual risks and actions taken to mitigate these risks. Behaviour support plans are individualised, detailed and current. These also provide clear guidance for staff. Assurance visit report: 1266835 3 Fire safety is managed well. Each child has a personal evacuation plan, covering day and night. These plans provide staff with detailed guidance on how to support each child should the fire alarms sound. Children also take part in regular fire drills. By carrying out regular checks on fire prevention and detection equipment, staff ensure all equipment is in good working order should it be needed.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. The new manager is already addressing the areas requiring improvement, using information from effective monitoring and feedback from the independent visitor’s reports. The manager is appropriately qualified and experienced for the role and is in the process of applying for registration with Ofsted. Staff and parents are very positive regarding the new manager’s appointment.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have ensured that the requirements and recommendation from the previous inspection have been met.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers are dealing with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic well. They have changed how short breaks are delivered. Currently, only one child is visiting the home each day, unless their sibling also receives support from the home, in which case the siblings come in at the same time. To enable all of the children to receive short breaks, the home is currently operating seven days per week. These actions are helping to protect children, families and staff.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive a good range of training, which covers mandatory training as well as specialist training, to meet individual children’s needs. Due to the pandemic, this has included virtual training sessions.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from receiving good-quality supervision that is reflective and aids their development. Actions from the previous sessions are reviewed and new actions set. Clear records are maintained of these sessions. Staff feel supervision is supportive and effective.

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15 paragraph 3.9) In particular, review the storage of televisions in three children’s bedrooms. Assurance visit report: 1266835 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action For Children

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 8AG

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1266835 5 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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